Machine for folding blanks for cuffs and the like.



W. L. DIXON.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR GUFFS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIUATION FILED 0OT 14, 1907. 956,950.

Patented May 3, 1910 8 SHEETS-BEBE? 1.

W. L. DIXON. MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR OUFFS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED OOT.14, 1907.

Patented May 3,1910.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. L. DIXOH. MACHINE POE FOLDING BLANKS FOR GUFFS-AND THE LIKE APPLIUATIONHIILED 001214. 1907.

Patented May 3, 1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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W. L. DIXON.

MAGHINE'FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR OUFPS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 14, 1907.

Patented May 3, 1910.

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W. L. D IXON. MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR SUITS AND THE LIKE.

APPLIUATIOR IILE D 00114, 19(

Patented May 3, 1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. L. DIXON. MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FORIGUFFS AND THE LIKE.

APLIUATION FILED 00114, 1907.

Patented May 3, 1910.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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W. L..DIXON: MACHINE POE FOLDING BLANKS FOR GUFFS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION TILED 001214, 190'].

-956,950. Y Patented m 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 'l'.

, M M IHI'IIIIH mmmumim fi @M wan/ M Lmcm 3m Kidd/'61 G AMWM Y W. L. DIXDN. MACHINE FOR FOLDING BLANKS FOR GUFFS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 14, 1901.

956,950. E Patented May 3,1910.

8 SHEETS-431E115 8.

WWI/m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER L. DIXON, F MILFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BEEOE FOLDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

MACHINEI'OR FOLDING BLANKS FOB CUFFS AND THE LIKE. Y

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 3, 1910.

Application filed October 14, 1907. Serial No. 397,440.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VALTER L. DIXON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milford, in the county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Machine for Folding Blanks for Cuifs and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for foldingblanks for cufl's andlike articles, for example, collars, shirt bosoms, etc., which are usually composed of layers of fabric secured together as by sewing to form the cuff or other arment. In the manufacture of such artic es, it has become common to prepare the separate layers of fabric by cutting pieces larger than the completed article an inturning or infolding the edges of such ieces or blanks upon a die or templet which 18 properly constructed for defining the shape -or contour of the finished article. Two of such folded blanks are then placed together with the folded-in edges concealed, and the same are stitched together asu'pon a sewing machine. Such a templet as the one referred to is usually part of a machine which comprises other instrumentalities, for exam le, infoldersor means "for 'infolding the e( ges of the fabric blank over the edges of the templet; swinging arms or other positioning mechanism for the templet; a crosshea'd lncluding -working mechanism by which. the templet may be expanded and contracted when an expanding and contractlug. templetis to be employed; mechanism by which the folds of the blanks can be squeezed under high pressure and with the application of heat so as to permanently iron or fix'the'crease and prevent subsequent distortion of the folds; and feeding mechanism for handling the blanks, either before or after being folded. Together with the above instrumentalities should be mentioned the frame-work and the power shaft and connections carried thereby.

My invention is illustrated in a. machine comprisingall the above instrumentalities; and the objects which will appear best upon reading the specification following, relate to securing greater efiiciency and greater ease of manipulation enabling a more rapid o oration and'greater output, and also to t e securing of greater accuracy in the production of folded blanks and the avoidance of 'in Fig. 8.

- are automatically arranged to form a bunch ready to be transferred to the operator of a sewing machine.

I will first describe a form'of machine embodying my invention and will then point out the novel features thereof in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents an'end elevation of a power operated folding machine embodying the 'improvementshereinafter set forth. Fig. 2 is atop view of the same, with the cross-head and te'mplet and the arms supporting them broken away so as to more clearl illustrate the top of the machine bed. ig. 3 is a front elevation of what is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional elevation taken upon the plane 44 of Fi 3, and showing on a larger scale the detai s of certain interior cam mechanism. ig. 5 is a similar cross sectional view'taken on the plane 5 5 of Fig. 3, showing further interior details. Fig. 6 is a top view of the machine bed, certain parts being removed that are visible in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is another sectional elevation showing interior mechanism and taken on the plane 77- of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a top view of the cross-head which carries the templet plates, the cross-head supporting arms and a portion of the shaft pon which the same oscillate. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the cross-head and templet shown Fig. 10" is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the lane 11-11 of Fig. 9, and looking upward. ig. 12- is a bottom plan view of saidcrossheadand templet. Fig. 13- is a detail view of the cross-head mechanism taken'on the plane 1313 of Fig. 8. f Similar characters of reference are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Frame and frame parts.-A cast frame work A constitutes the substructure for the particular form of my invention illustrated 1n the drawings. This needs no extended;

Its b ri ht and left sides crating arts. The bed forms a support for blanks or the cufi, collar or shirt'bosom during the folding. and pressing operations.

ank. supporting surface 1s scored as shown at a, to prevent displacement of the blank during operation.

Throughout the following description the' front of the machine will be considered that side on which the o erator stands, namely, at the bottom of the rawing Fig. 2 5 and the will be the right and 1e sidesas viewed by-the operator, 6. e., as viewed in Fig. '3.

Main power shaft and drive mecham'am. The main power shaft is marked B, see Figs; 1, 2, 3. It turns in fixed bearings and may be driven at say 20 revolutions per minute by'the followin A worm wheel I; at the right is fixed to s aft B, and engages a worm on worm shaft 6 which may revolve say 1,000 revolutions per minute. The worm shaft turns in fixed bearings; its forward end is squared at b so that a crank may be applied forgiving motion to the machine when desired, as when making adjustments or repairs and its rear end is provided with the usual collars b b to revent longitudinal movement, and with ast and loose pulleys' B and B intended to be engaged by a driving belt from the usual overhead shaft.- ingofamachinesho.-

. A belt shifter and rake will be described with the double acting treadle, which op erates them. 7

' several other shafts and axles which, like the main shaft, carry various gears and cams, either fast or loose, taking part in the actuationof' difierent of the instrumentalities making up the machine. See Fi 1 and 4. The most important is the auxi 'ary shaft C which rotates in harmony with the main shaft throu h gears eand 0" fast onthe former and latter res actively. Then there is the oscillating sha t C'at the upper rear, which carries thetemplet or crossead mechanism, and also has cams notfast but driven from other sources. Then there are non-rotating axles C toward the rear and C toward the front, on which dilfer'ent levers, eta, turn as fulorums.

' Power controller. -The controller of the .ower takes the s ecifie'form of a treadle 1n the machine ustrated, although my broad invention does not exclude handcontrol. See Figs. 1, 3. v

-D is the treadle. Rigid with. it is an arm d-that extends upwardly, its upper end having)a lugd.

.'s a rearwardl'y extending rod sliding in fixed bearings and 'havin a collar d at its forward end, which the ug cl engagiis to force the rod rearward when the trea the treadle slightly thrown.

ing the treadle completely rod chine, a tem ing belt from the loose to the fast pulley B. This rearwar movement is efiectedagainst the oppositionof ahelical spring D.

d and d are collars fast on rod D. cl is a collar loose thereon. v v d" is a link, yoked and. pivoted at d to sleeve d". Spring D is connected tovlink d and to the frame, and exerts the tension to pull link d and rod D forward when they are free to move. D is a stronger spring, confined between loose collar d and fast collar 03". Usually it does notcom'e into lay. Link (i at its rear-connects with a bent ever d pivoted at d and extending beyond the pivot, to where it has a roller al enga in a peculiar cam d fast on auxiliary sha t This cam has one deep run corresponding to the idle position of the machine.

The parts are shown in a position with B throwmoves back, belt is shifted, machine starts and at the same time roller d" moves away from the center of cam d. tion of the cam immediately passes under the roller and precludes the roller and the connected lever d and linkd from returning under influence of spring 1) to idle position. The machine will then run an entire revolution or cycle before roller J y can drop back into the cam, and spring D return parts to idle position. This enables the operator to infold one blank and have an automatic stoppage at the'point of time when a new blank is-to be inserted. Usually this is unnecessary and I provide a latch D which may be thrown over at will in front of the rod D so as to block it and maintain the driving belt on the fast pulley B, as

' long as desired.

D? is a brake carried by rod D. See Figs. 1, 2, 3. When the belt is carried to the idle pulley B the brake isfbroughti-nto contact with the fast pulley B at its periphery which stops it and revents further movements of the-machine 'lilhe use of worm and gear I), 15 also assists t is.

The peripheral porcm momentum.

The utility of spring D is that without Y it the operator could not possibly sto the machine cxce t at the end ofa cyc e orrevolution, w ich might be the cause of great damage.

the belt and appl ing the brake.

The templet.-+- hus far I have only described general machine parts. to the partswhich' handle and operate upon the'blanks it should be remi'sed in ageneral way that there is ilustrated' a means for properly placing the blank in the ma? p et which defines the outline He has merely to exert a. pressure on the forward'end of the treadle sufiicient to overcome spring D and compress it between sleeves d and 'din' order to move the rod D forward,'thus shifting.

In: comingand expanding plates is suitable.

or re air.

of the completed article, infolders for folding the blank edges over the edges of the templet, means for extracting the templet from the folds, means for pressing the folds in contact with the heated bed, means for removing the blanks after bein folded and pressed,'a device for stackin t e blanks so removed, and a number 0 other means, mechanisms and concomitants auxiliary to the general operations.

The templet, strictly speaking, consists of the part defining the blanks, in this case, the fourtemplet plates or blades E. See Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 8 to 13. The parts to wh ch these are attached, and the stock or casting in which they move may be designated as a whole the crosshea-d. The templet E is carried by the crosshead E, and this in turn is carried by arms E which are fast on the oscillating shaft C by which the elevating and lowerin of the templet is effected. The machine 11 u'strated is or cuffs having two square and two round corners, and the templet is made up of four plates, which by mutual approach are made to withdraw from the folds of the cuff blanks by a contraction. For an article of the shape of a cufi a templet with diagonally contracting To this end the crosshead body E is made with four dia nal slideways on its upper side in which slide four slides e, e, e, e. As the slides cross each other, two slideways are made deeper than the other two, so that slides e may pass above slides 6'. These slides may be removed by taking off the strips e=.- Each slide connects through the crosshead body with a templet plate, as follows: The horizontal portion 6 of a. templet guide block is screwed to the under side of a slide so as to move with it. To 'ermit this,'holes are formed in the crossead from 11 per to lower surface. Each guide block ii and a downward lug 6 arranged longitudinally instead of diagonally to the crosshead. Each ide block has adjustably screwed to its owrrward portion (2 a downwardly extending templet holder 6, and to this latter is directly connected the templet E which may be removed or replaced for adjustment For causing movements of the temp et plates, guide blocks, and connected slides, I prefer mechanism which moves all at once, whereby the templet will contract and expand as a whole. See Fig. 8

' E and E are two similar slide actuators,

each being pivoted at e to the crosshead body E, and each similar to a bell-crank lever. The outer end-of each branch of each actuator is operatively connected with one of the diagonal slides e, e. The connection ma com rise a pin e projecting from the sli e, a b ock e turning on the pin 0'', and a short slot formed at e in'the actuator,

as its horizontal portion 6 and in which the block slides. A straight lever 6 pivoted at a has similar slot and block connections with both the actuators, and is the means of both the actuators moving in harmony. Another straight lever 6 having a similar slot and block connection at one end with a fixed pin e, is connected at its other end withactuator E and at its middle is connected with a link f forming art of the mechanism through which power is transmitted to the actuators E and E, aswill now appear.

Power connections for actuating temp pZet.-For transmitting power to the temlet I prefer a cam mounted on the oscilating shaft C. F represents a face cam for this purpose. It is mounted on the same sleeve, loose on shaft C, that carries a gear F. The latter meshes with a gear ,0 fast on the auxiliary shaft C and through which gear a said auxiliary shaft is driven, as already stated. In this way continuous rotation is given to cam F when the machine is in operation. The cam F causes the reciprocation ofa bar F, whose forward end is for convenience fitted slidingly in the bottom of the crosshead body, and to whose rear end is connected the yoked piece F (dotted in Fig. 4) which straddles shaft C. -A pin or roller on yoked piece F engages the dwell f on the left face of face cam F. This dwell is principally concentric, but has two oppositely acting eccentric portions, as will be clear from the dotted lines, Fig. 4. The eccentric portions serve to push bar F out, then pull it rearward. Fig. 10 well shows the relation of yoke F bar F jand pin f. Pivoted at f to bar F is a link f". This extends directly forward and is there yoked at f and pivoted, as already stated,

'to the middle of the straight lever e which in turn transmits movement to the actuators. E., E, slides e, e and templet plates E. The cam .F is so timed that the templet will collapse after the folding but before the pressing operations on the blank, and expand again before the folding operation uponthe-next blank.

Power connections for swinging temple z-. The templet will be swung downward preceding each folding operation, and upward after the folding and the contraction of the templet are done. The means for effecting such swinging are best seen in Figs. 2 and 4.- G is an arm formed on a collar made fast to shaft 0", and extendm rearward. It has pivoted at its end a lin G, adjustable as to length by a device g; the link extending downward to where pivoted to an arm 9 of a bell crank lever, the hub g of the latter being loose upon the fixed lon itudinal axle The other arm g of the 11 crank lever, dotted in Fi 4 (see Fig.33, extends upward, has a ro er 9 at its en and engages 'the periphery of an outside cam (it fast upon and which rotates with the main shaft B. The weight of the c'rosshead keeps roller g pressed against the rim of lower and afterward forced to rise; but they can be lifted by hand at any time, such lifting by hand merey serving to move roller g awa from cam I Blank supporting wings.-These, marked H, H, form an elevated platform, see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, which is held upon fixed castin H, H. U on these wings, not imme iately upon t e bed a, does the 0 erator insert the blanks which are to be olded, the latter being automatically transferred to the bed when the templet descending, passes through the central aperture in the wings. The win s lie in a plane that is nearly comcident wlth the shaft G for a purpose that will appear. Gages h, h, on the win assist the operator in accurately inserting t e cloth blanks. The wings themselves are a great assistance and constitute an improvement upon the operator lacing the blanks directly on the heate bed, the latter being much less accessible than the wings and liable to burn the fingers Of importance also is their function of receiving a new blank while the preceding one is'undergoing a later, 6. the pressing operation.

Blank Zzfter.--When the descending templet meets the unfolded blank resting on the wings, it cooperates with another element, the.

lifter I, the latter movable upward and downward between the bed a and Wm H. The blank, held between the templet and lifter is carried down through the aperture in the win to the heated bed, where it is folded an ressed; after which the lifter lifts the fol ed blank above the bed asart of the operation of removing the blank mm the machine. its upper surface coincident with the lane of the wings, read to carry the blank own. Fig. 2 shows it to e of open or skeleton construction. Fig. 4 best shows the connections. The lifter is moved by connections comprising a spr ng o avoid breakage, and so as to swing about the same shaft C as a center, that forms a center for the templet. This is important, so that the two may move in perfect accord when carrying a blank from the wings to the bed. I 1s an arm by which this is accomplished. It is of irregular shape so as to clear the bed and other parts when swin in Its swinging about shaft G is permitte by its loose hub I mounted on the latter. Fast to hub I is a second arm I, through which the turnin of thehub and swinging of the lifter are e ected.

Depending from arm I is a rod '5 pivoted and held down Fig. 1 shows lifter I elevated,

alinement.

elasticity is provided through a strong helical spring 11 or two such springs, held on rod '11 between nuts 7?, it A sleeve i on rod 11 is elastically held in normal position by the springs 2". At t" the lever I is pivoted to sleeve i Lever I extends forwardl to its fixed pivot 11 on a lug a, and beyon to where it is provided at 2' with a pin or roller which enga es with the main dwell of a cam wheel I, ast on themain shaft B. This cam has-eccentric portions so timed as toelevate the lifter in time to meet the dc scending tem let, and assist transferring the blank from t 1e wings to the bed; and after the folding and pressing to lift the folded blank to assist in its removal from the machine.

As will be clear from Fig. 4, the blank lifter I when down, fits into recesses in the bed, so as to lie flush with the latter; the blank then lyin Hat on the bed (and lifter) the templet, which defines At t is stage the infolders come to turn the lank edges over the the templet, into the form of the its outline. into plafy edges 0 cu The inf0Zders.-These primarily are to move inwardly and outwardly and i'Iifiild the blank edges; but in the present embodiment are also used for the operation of pressin the blank edges, to fix and crease them, t isbeing accomplished between the infolder and the'bed and after the templet has collapsed out'of the folds. A series of infolders are used; four are shown, one at each corner of the blank. See Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7. The two front infolders, and two rear ones, are substantially alike. Taking the ri ht hand rear infolder as representative 0 the others (see Figs. 5 and 6), the same is made in two parts or'plates, one superimposed upon the other.- K being the upper plate, the under one is marked Kfl-and itor s an adjusting plate, being adjustable relatively to K for variations in sizes of the the infolder just described, and that at the rear left hand corner of the machine, a lon bar If is employed, which rests on top of t e bed a. and engages with longitudinal grooves formed respectively in the infolders, permitting the latter two to approach each other or recede while maintaining them in A similar bar for effecting alinement of the front infolders, is shown at )2. I

In represent screws passing through slots in infolder K for adjustably securing the latter to the plate K.

'cufi's or other articles being manufactured.

It will be understood that the infolders of the series are intended to be moved inwardly and outwardly; the inward n'iovei'nents intended to effect the actual folding of the blanks: and the outward movements, the removal of the infolders therefrom. The inward movements may be of a variety of descriptions, either a rectilinear movement, diagonal or otherwise, or a compoundmovement with components first in one direction and then in another in accordance with the style of the article or the conformation of the sides or corners thereof. For example, when lock corners are to be produced, the inward movement of each infolder will be first endwise and then sidewise, or vice versa. The portion which actually contacts the edges of the blanks in the process of inturning them should be thin, and they are so shown as at J and K Fig. 4, these thin plate-like portions being connected to the adjustin plates K Infol er actuating mechaaism.-Connections from the power shaft drive the infolders. Each infolder is moved inward after the blank has reached the bed with the templet bearingon top of it. After the templet collapses the infolders are caused-to press, and thereafter they move outwardly.

At each end of the machine, beneath the infolders are a pair of superimposed actuating disks. L, the upper one andL the lower. are shown in elevation in Fig. 1, in dotted plan in Fig. 6, and in central vertical section in Fig. 7. DisksL and L are rotatnble on vertical axes, L' having a cylin drical downward extension Z for rotation in a hole bored in a fixed cross member a while L has its extension I rotating in a central hole bored in Z, Fig. 7. The bottom disk .L has a rearward extension at P, Fig. 7.,

through which itis oscillated; said extension provided with a downwardly projecting pin Z who'se lower end engages a recess piece I at-theend of an oscillatingi 'lever L Figs. 1, 7 The forward-end of lever -L is pivoted to the frame at Z"; its middle iortion has a n or roller Z which pro; Jects downwardly into the groove Z of a power driven cam L Figs. 3 and 7. The

cam L is adjustably secured as by a set screw l on the. main shaft B, its adjustment permitting a variation in the stage atwhich the infolders are actuated. The dwell 1 has oblique portions which oscillate the lever L and the disk L. It should be explained that the section Fig. 7 taken on plane 7-7,

Fig. 3, shows the mechanism at the right end of the machine, and for oscillating the lower disk L, and in fact'both lower isks,

a lou connecting link L serving to trans-- mit. tie motion from pin- 1, F g. 7, to a similar pin on the lower dlsk'at the left end of the machine.

show this link connect-ion. The'two upper The dotted linesFig. 6

disks, those, at the .ri ht and left are actuated from a cam L, i 3, similar to cam L but located near the left end of sha'ft'B. (lanrL acts directly on oscillati lever L (smnlar to L) which connects w th pin l" secured to a forward extension of the left hand dlsk L; and the long connecting link L which extends from pin Z isplainly seen n Fig. 3, partly dotted where it dips down 111 crossing. the center of the machine. Fi 6 shows dotted in top view how this link, J7 connects with the ex'tension'l of upper disk L at the right. It will be observed that the right hand oscillating lever L whichactuates the lower disks L, is pivoted at the front, its moving end bein at the rear; whereas the oscillating lever at the left of the machine and which serves to move the upper disks L, isreversely arranged, being pivoted at the rear. Suppose now, the. two actuating cams L and L are secured u on the main driving shaft '13 in correspon ing positions as shown in Fig. 3,- then as -the' main shaft rotates in the regulanoperation of the machine there will be caused oscillations of the two lower disks in one direction and at the same instant oscillations ofthe two upper disks in" the 'reverse direction. One pa1r will move in the direction of the hands of a Watch, While the other pair moves the other way. By alterin .the relative "positions of the cams L an L upon the shaft B, the order of movement may be correspondingly changed. Between the lower disks and the upper 'disks on the'one hand, and the infolders on the other hand, are certain connections which will next be described; these being substantially the same for the two ends of the machine, that only at the right end (see Figs. 6 and 7) need be explained. I

Adjustable z'nfolcler connections.-Tlie ad- .ju'stments about to be described together with the-already mentioned adjustment of the speeds, and order of such movements being variable at will, any desired resultant is obtainable. M, mrepresent slots in the front and rear infolder parts J, K, respectively, said slots extended crosswise relatively to the'machine, and forming part of the means through which lengthwise motions are imparted to the infolders. In each slot plays a block TM, 172. Each block has a rotatable pin within it, M mfiwhich pins extend downwardly. Pin 'M connects to upper disk L, so that oscillation of said disk moves the infolder part J lengthwise. Pin m connects to lower disk L, a concentric slot in'the upper disk bein provided to allow this; and thereby infol er K moves, lengthwise when the lower disk oscillates. With the disk adjustment already stated, the concurrent but opposite rotation of the disks would obviously cause the two right en infolders to move inward simultaneously, or outward simultaneously. This motion, however, is merely a lengthwise component. A component at another angle must be obtained in order that the infolders may operate upon the blank sides as well as their ends. The front infolder has two other slots M and M, and rear infold'er corresponding ones m and m; all extendinglengthwise' and 'for producing crosswise movements. Two of these, M, 'm, are not shown as in use, but intended for use with variations of'adjustment from that shown. In each of the slots M m plays a block M, m, and each block (similar y to blocks M, m) has a rotatable pin M, m, passing through it, and these pins extend downwardly. At their lower ends the pins M, m connect directly with the lower disk L so as to receive motion from said disk. It will thusiie seen that -when the lower disk oscillates and conveys motion to the blocks M, m, the latter will so act within the slots'M, m, as to cause transverse or crosswise movements of the ill".

folders. In order to permit the communication of motion from the lower disk to the then; the block M or .121. would be transferred from the slot M or m to the slot M or m.

With the adjustment of disks as shown, the right front infolder, for exam le, when the disks are oscillated, in reverse directions as explained, will (see Fig. 6) be moved lengthwise to the left by the oscillation of the upper disk in the direction of the hands of a watch, the block M effecting this movement whereas, its crosswise movement from the front to the rear-will be received from the lower disk. rotatin in an opposite direction and-"through t 0 block M. These taking place simultaneously, the resultant will-be a plane or straight diagonal movement of theinfolder J so as to 'simultane ously fold a portion of the. front side and a portion of the ri ht hand end. of the blank.

The other three mfolders will move in the .folds of the blanks.

motion of the cam N and the disk same direction simultaneously; and therefore the adjustment shown is one wherein all the edges of the blank will be infolded in one operation through diagonal movements of theinfolders. When the movementof the disks is-reversed, the infolders move outwardly again, the pressing operation having, however, in the meanwhile taken place. The many other adjustments to which the above described infolder actuating. mechanism is susceptible need hardly be further described, as many of them will be obvious from the above description.

Infolder liftin g me0ham'sm.-By lifting up the disks L, L slightly, the infolders can be elevated-seas to pass smoothly over the templet and blank edges on their inward movement. Fig. 7 shows the disks to be liftable, and as they support the infolders the entire infolding system can be elevated simultaneously.

Adisk lifter N, Fig. 1,is in the form of a cam lever, its pivot at n, its portion bearing upward against disk L at n, and its cam su1= face at n. A short lon itudin'al horizontal shaft N oscillatin in Exed bearings, has a lifting toe a direct? beneath the cam surface 02 Fig.1, and, at its outer end an arm n", Fi 2, 6., whose extremity, provided with a rol er, constituted to roll upon a. cam N which turns with main shaft B. The cam N has eccentric portions as seen in dotted -cient to prevent the infolders and the templet edges between them cutting the cloth of the blanks. It therefore is made; to occur just at the stage where the infolders are passin over the edges of the-templet and mturnmg or infoldlng Jthe edges of the blanks. The cam N will be seen to then have a slightlyfurther elevated portion immediately succeeding that just described. This eflects a similarly sli ht elevation of the infolders entirely insu cient to lift' the same oil" the blanks, but suflicient merely to reduce the pressure between the infoldersand the blanks so as to facilitatethe contraction or collapsing of the tem let and the removal of the blades of the atter from the Were it not forthis relief in pressure the withdrawal of the templet edges, especially if the same were not perfectly smooth and bright, might cause a minute distortion ordisplacement of the material of the blanks, which would be extremely detrimental to the quality of the roduct. The templet being col lapse there no longer exists a need of having the infolders elevated, and the next lifter is placed.

at 0 by nuts.

a dropping to ori inal position, allowing an mtlmate contact tween the infolders and the blanks, at which stage the parts are in position for the application of a squeezing pressure to fix and press the folds between the infolders and the bed.

Pressure apparatus.-This is for creasing by squeezing-the folds of the blanks after their formation. A relative movement between the bed and infolders for this purpose is produced by depressing the latter with a powerful pressure toward the former. convenient means to accomplish this consists of a series of presser heads, six being shown, at 0, Figs. 2 and 6, in top view, and Figs. 3, 4 and 7 in elevation, each consisting of a flat disk-like piece of metal located above and normally resting loosely on top of the infolders at various points. Each presser head has its downwardly extending stem 0, which passesthrough a hole in the infolder, see dottedl-ines Fig. 6, sufficiently large that the infoldermovements will not be interferediwith'jby said stems. The stems 0 pass towhere downward ull can be applied to them to depress the in olders.

0 Figs. 4 and'5, indicates a horizontal plate through which all six of the stems 0'- pass and below which the latter are headed downwardly, exerts pressure on all of the stems, presser heads and infolders. To accomplish this, the plate 0 is pgovided with a downwardlyextending hanger 0 Fig. 4, or preferably two such hangersQ Each of the hangers O is acted upon by. a. power lever of a peculiar form and nature. Each of the power levers has a shaft portion 0*- running forwardly and backwardly, oscillating in fixed bearings at its front and rear ends. Near its front end is. fixed an arm 0,

which projects downwardly and curves for:-

wardly to a point 0 where it is provided with a roller engaging a dwell of a presser cam O. The two presser cams O and the arms 0 are-also seen in the front view, Fig. 3, and the will be seen to be symmetrically main driving shaft B, are continuously rotated when the machine is in operation. They have eccentric portions correspondingly and therefore oppositely arranged so thut'the two arms 0 Wlll move toward each other at one stage and away from each other at another stage of the operation.

(see Fig. 5) of the two shafts 0*.

Each of the oscillating shafts O tion. The two projections 0 extend toward each other, and therefore each of .them cx tends toward the center of the machine, as

-will be clear from Fig. 4, or from the dotted lines Fig. 5. These projections 1 are very The plate() when pulled he presser cams, being. upon the- This swinging movement of the arms 0 Wlll cause -a slight oscillation has a, horizontal projection 0 near'its central porhangers, and against which nubs 0* the projections 0 directl bear. After the'folding has been accomplished and the templet collapsed, the presser heads are then brought into play through the cam portions of cams 0 coming into action. These oscillate the arms 0 shafts O and projections 0 the latter bearing down on the nubs 0 of the hangers 0 which under this influence pull downward the plates 0 thereby depressing the presser stems, presser heads and infolders to creasethe blanks.

The tabZe.-T-his improved device affords a convenient rest for the operators arms when necessary to handle blanks, or for blanks. It comprises a horizontally arranged plate P, Figs. 1, 2, 3, extending forwardly at the upper frontof the machine. It is approximately in alinement with the wings H, and therefore facilitates the manual transfer of unfolded blanks from the table to the wings and their accurate placing on the latter. Beneath the table, normally,

are various parts of the blank handling ap paratus hereinafter to be described, and thereby the table affords a protection to such apparatus, to the blanks which ithandles, and to the operators hands and clothing,-

precluding their becoming enmeshed inthe machinery. VVhen,however, the operator desires to inspect or attend to the blank han dling machine beneath the table, or to remove the folde blanks which have gathered there,-he may swing or tilt the table up; wardly into a vertical position where it Wlll be out of the way. To effect this important result I provide the table with a couple of swinging brackets 11 pivoted to a fixed part.

' of the' machine frame at p and having on a downwardly projecting portion thereof a lug or stop p, Figs. 1 and 3, "which, when the table 1s in normal-or horizontal position, abuts against a fixed part of the frame and maintains the table steady.

Out-feeding wwchunimn.-I have de scribed how the blank, after folding and pressing, is lifted by the blank lifter I somewhat above the bed, as seen in Fig. 4, to a position intermediate the bed and the wings.

In'this position the blank and lifter will not interfere with the operator inserting new blanks on the wings for the next operation, and thus a considerable economy in time is effected. In this intermediate position of" the blank lifter, the out-feeding mechanism comes into lay, it graspin and drawing out laterally, etween. the be and wings, the folded blanks. To assist the proper rasping. of the folded blanks, the lank 1i ter I (see Figs. 2 and 4) is cut away at 27.

The out-feeding mechanism comprises, as

r a part of it, an instrumentality" for directly 'gras ing and withdrawing the folded blan s, namely, the tongs Q, Q, consisting of the upper portion Q and'the lower portion Q, between which the folded blanks may be held; and these tongsare located opposite so as to grasp the portion of the folded blanks above the cut-away area 1" of the blank lifter. Fig. 4 shows the tongs in a jibsition about to grasp the-folded blanks preparatory to drawing them outwardly etween the bed and the wings. The out feedin tongs are capable of a considerable inwar and-outward movement, from their blank grasping position to an outward or opening and closing the latter at the'proper points of time in the operation of the machine.

Extending between the upper endsTof the arms Q, Q, is a hollow shaft Q within which is a rotatable rod Q. The hollow shaft Q directly carries the weight of the tongs Q, Q. Shaft Q is .ca able of slight rotation to change the tongs rom a normal position to a slightly elevated position. In

the normal position the pin 2 on the shaft (.1), rests upon a stop 9 rigi with the left hand of the arms Q. The movement of ele-' vating it is against gravity and also against the force of a coil spring 9, which is under tension and tends to maintain the shaft Q in normal position. To afford a delicate adjustment of the tension of spring 5g, there is rovided a piece q fast on the s aft Q ans which has a series of nicks or slots, into any of which at-will the end: of the coil spring of shaft Q is an enlargement or collar 9, with which is formeda casting g extending rearwardlyor away from the o erator. To thecastin is rigidly secure one of-the portions (5' of the tongs, and the other portion Q is pivotally secured to said casting g by a pivotlocated at g. The tong portions Q, Q, being extremely hght and springy, the upper one is secured to a small downwardly and t Fig. 1 their maybe engaged. Abouttheeenter .tongs is best seen in Fig. 5.

casting Q", which is the part thatis actually pivotediat'g. The casting g" extends forwardly beyond the pivot g (see Figs. 1 and 2) and at is provided with a pin or roller through which oscillations of the castin g and the'upper' tong portion may be e fected. The tiny helicalspring, seen at Fig. 3, and in dotted lines,-Fig. 4, is so con- .nected with the forwardly extending portion of the castin g as to pull the same fiereby normally maintain theupper tong portion in an elevated position as in Fig. 4. In other words, the tongs are normally kept open.

The mechanism for closing the tongs at the proper'moment will now be described.

This ClOSlIlg 1s supposed to take place when the parts are in the position shownvin Fig. 4.. The upper tong wardly, and the light abric blank is clasped. between the two tong portions and there held until after it has been laterally withdrawn.

1 As already stated, the interior of the hollow shaft Q contains a rod- Q, which extends from end to end, and has its bearings in the enlar 'ements at the upper ends respectively of the swinging arms Q Q The right hand end of the rod Q passes clear throu h the enlar ement at that end,

portion comes downand secure .to it is a s ort crank arm Figs. 2 and 5. Extending downwardly from the crank 'arm' g are connections for oscillatin it, and thereby: oscillating the interior rod The said rod has secured near its middle an outwardly projecting pin ff,

to allow the plaj of which an aperture is cut in. the hollow shaft Q". This in Q13,

as well seenvin Figs. 1 and 5, rests" irectly beneath the roller q of the casting g which carries the upper tong portion Q. The oscillation of t einterior rod Q through the pin g effects the lowering of the tong por-. tion Q to'close the tongs against the resistance of the helical spring 9 andthereby grasp the blank.

'The backward and forward swinging of the. long arms Q which carry the mechan-- ism described above in this chapter, and the opening and closing of the tongs, are con trolled and efiectuated through the power shafts which operate the other instrumentalities of the machine, and in harmony withthe other operations.

The means for opening and closing the Extending downwardly from the crank arm g" is-a link g which in turn connectswith a sim 1e lever pivoted on the arm Q and wh ch beyon 'its fulcrum is pivoted to another link 9" extendin downwardly to where it .in turn is pivo'te to a-second e ver g", also pivoted to the arm Q and extending rearwardly beyond its connection with link g to where it is provided with a roller g that movements of parts g to g.

runs along the arc-shaped upper surface 9 of a cam lever or are lever Q. The last named cam lever is journaled loosely upon the fixed axle C atthe rear of the machine, and at an intermediate point it has a pin and roller 9 upon the peripheral surface (1 of a portion of the same cam O which was above described as causing the actuation of the presser mechanism, and the same being fast upon the main drivin shaft'B. It will be seen that a rotation of said shaft, when it brings eccentric portions of cam surface 9 beneath the roller 9 will cause the-cam lever Q, to rise or to fall by gravity, depending upon how the said cam surfaces are timed. \Vhen raised, the cam lever Q? will raise the lever g" and link 9 thereby low: ering the link and the crank arm thereby in turn raising the ping upon the interior TOd Q}, and, as explained, in this wa-y'closing the tongs so as to grasp the folded blank.

In Fig. 5 the parts are shown in the same position as in Fig. 4, the tongs open and about to grasp the blank. The roller 9 on the cam lever Q is about to ride up one concentric portion of cam surface g to a higher portion of the latter; this effecting the closing of the tongs,'which are retained closed durin the further operation of the machine, until the succeeding. eccentric ortion of cam g comes beneath the ro ler, when the latter will drop, opening the tongs and releasing the blank, which may.fall into a receptacle arranged for that purpose. Thereafter the roller will again immediately rise to a higher point than before, thus causing the, pin Q13 not only to close the tongs, but to move farther so that, hearing upward against the roller 9 it will actually raise the tongs and the casting g against the resistance of the helical spring gto a point above the normal, where the samewill remain until nearly a half cycle.

of the machinesoperation,when other'eccentric portions of cam q a ain cause the tongs first to drop to norma position and then to V en preparatory to seizing a new blank. T arc-s aped portion 9 of cam lever Q, at its forward end is the form of a circle whose center is the axle C upon which'the arms Q oscillate, and this bein the case, the oscillating movements to sai arms Q are precluded from causing any Only the movements of cam lever Q," will actuate the latter. The swin ing of the arms Q will now be described. As stated, they are loosely pivoted on the non-rotating axle C about midway of the height of the machine. The hubs "by which these arms are connected to axle C are connected with each other b- .a longitudinal web g", Figs. 3 and 4, wi I which is formed a rearwardly projecting lug g nearly midway between the arms Q.

This lug, best seen in Fig. 4, has a pin (1 and block 9 connection with a heavy cam lever Q through a slot at g in the forward end of the latter, its rearward end being fulcrnmed loosely upon the fixed axle C At an intermediate point of the cam lever Q is a pin and roller 9, seen in dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 4;, which projects toward the right from said cam lever and enters into a dwell in the face of the cam I, which turns with the main power shaft B. The cam I has already been mentioned as controlling the movements of the blank lifter. In fact, it has three dilferent cam portions and effects three functions, ratherthan providing three different cams to do so. The actua tion of blank lifter takes effect on the right hand side or face of cam I", where there is a dwell or groove near the periphery. On the same face, but nearer the center, is another dwell R whose function will hereinafter appear. On its left hand face orside isthe dwell which engages the roller 9" to effect the oscillating movements of the arms Q This dwell Q, may be seen in dotted lines in Fig. 4 as engaged by the roller It has concentric portions and-other portions which are eccentric and so arranged as to move the arms Q inwardly in time forthe tongs Q, Q to grasp the folded blank, and thereafter move the same out wardly to the full extent, then inwardly in a gradual manner to a slight extent only, during which the depositing of the blanks in the receptacle takes place, and then inwardly again to the blank grasping position,

Receptacle for folded blan]:..This is an automatic mechanism, which not only -receives, but plaoes the folded blanks in orderly juxtaposition, moreover compressing them there so as to assist maintaining the folds intact, and packing" them together in a ether, after a convenient way to be tied t desired number vane folded, into a bundle, that can be carried to the stitching department for .the subsequent 0 stations in the making of a complete on collar .or .shirt' bosom. The general idea is that the outfeeding mechanism should successively drop the blanks vertically into one portion of the devices for placing it. into a restricted portion with those already receptacle, there bei received. Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 best show the construction. The foundation is the almost horizontal part B forming the floor of the 12.0

receptacle, and which, at r, is fixed rigidly to the machine frame. R is the receptacle packed. It is movable forwardly as the-reoeptaele enlarges with its acquisitions of blanks. It is learned on'f'a long red R, made,

front wall, behind which the blanks are of a curred fornr-to clear various other mechanisms, and pivoted at r to I 2 specs. cl longitud nal: shaitt r, whleh iii-turn 18 pro- ,vided with another rod r having a heavy in a slot formed at 7"" in the floor R. The

rod R which carries the receptacle front wall, it should be stated, passes through a similar but longer slot r in the floor. For

effecting .vibratlons of the receptacle rear wall. the following connections are made with the power mechanism of the machine.

- a new bla Fig. 4 best shows them. A link 7' is pivotally connected at front with a downward projection on the slide 1' and at its rear is pivotall connected with the upper end 1'" of a bel crank lever It loosely journaled upon the fixed axle C whose other arm r extends in a forward direction to its extremity provided with a roller r that engages in the groove or dwell B on the right hand side of the cam I already mentioned, which rotates with the main power shaft B. The eccentric portions of the cam slot R are such as to draw the rear wall of the receptacle rearwardly previouslyto the depositing therein by the out-feeding mechanism of a folded blank. Thereafter the rear wall will be moved forwardly so as to crowd the folded blank up against the folded blanks which havealready been received in the receptacle. Another device then comes into play to secure the blank in this position v:h1le the pear wall R moves backwardly to 1 s orlgina osition pre arator to receivin hi; and this backwiird and for ward vibration is maintained continuously during the operation of themachine.

For holding together in a condensed form and pressed against each other the blanks which have been received in the receptacle and pressed forwardly therein by the rear wall, I have employed an instrumentality comprising preferably a pair of devices which I refer to as dlsappe'aring fingers, or blank packing fingers R", best seen in Figs. 1 and 2. These are adapted to bear against the end ortions of the blanks rather than the midd e, the middle being ressed against by the vibrating'rear' wall. he disappearing fingers are fitted to receive an upward and downward movement, and when moved downwardly, pass entirely out of the receptacle through slots formed in the bottom thereof at 1'. Figs. 1 and'4 best show the means b which this is accomdplished. The fingers T 'move upwardly an downwardly in sliding contact with their bracket r which is fast on the. receptacle floor R and projects downwardly at substantially right angles with the floor R. The sliding connection between the fingers R and the bracket r may be through a groove in the latter. For actuating the fingers a cam lever R whose contour may behest traced in. Fig. 4, is employed. It extends rearwardly and curves with an upward sweep, then rearwardly in a downwardly inclined direction to where, at r, it is pivoted'to a fixed part of the machine; continuing rearwardly to where, at 7", its extremity is provided with a pin or roller intended to engage in a cam groove R formed in the right hand face of the largegear 0 already mentioned, which latter is fast upon and revolves continuously with the auxiliaryshaftC. The cam groove R is mostly concentric, but has eccentric portions, commencing at T3, which by elevatln the rear extremity of the cam lever, B, epresses its forward extremity, which is pivotally connected to the disappearing fingers, thereby lowering the fingers. The fingers rise again when another eccentric portion of cam R comes into play.

In order that the folded blanks being gathered in the receptacle will not slide forward and backward in contact with the'fioor B, I employ a couple of supporting wires R, which are secured to the movable front wall of the receptacle and extendrear-wardly beyond the rear wall Rt. When the folded blank is dropped into the receptacle it-rests upon the wires R which move with the front wall, as explained, and thereby prevent abrasion of the blanks.

0peratz'0n.I will now describe the preferred order of operation of the machine hereof.

The series of steps consti 'uting the opera- 'tion ma be divided into tl. ree parts, owing to the actthat when pro erly timed, the machine may 0 erate u on three blanks simultaneously, tlie severa blanks, however, bein at different stages of operation. A preliminary ste is the pressing downwardly of the forwar throwsthe power belt upon the fast pulley and sets the machine in operation; and, when smoothly running, throwing the latch D so as to prevent the automatic stopping action, which would otherwise occur at the end of each 0 cle of movements. Starting withthe first blank consisting of one or more layers of. fabric, these the operator will have in his hands or resting u on the table in .the'front of the machine. T e templet being elevated,

" the wings are easilyaccessible, and the operator transfers the blanks from the. table-to the wings, accurately positioning them w 1th respect to the gages on the wings. 7 Having done this, the operator prepares to get the end of the treadle, which next blank ready for insertion. In the.

meanwhile, through the harmonious an" rangexnent of the several. power actuated cams, the following operations take place. The templet comes downwardly in its expanded condition, it being small enough to pass through the a )erture in the wlngs. The unfolded blank lying on the wings being in the proper plane, is met by the templet from above and by the elastically supported lifter from. below. The templet and the lifter then take charge of the blank, and the continuing down movement of the templet carries the blank through the aperture in-the wings, releasing it from the wings and carryin it onward until it reaches the steam heated d. The blank -lifter fits into the recess in the bed while the templet presses and holds the unfolded blank downwardly for a brief period. During this period the inf-olders are operated to use slightly and move inwardly so as to carry the edge portions of the blanks over the edge portions of the templet, thus producing the desired folds. When the infolders have reached jtheir inward position, they are slightly raised i'ustsufficiently to allow the templet to be co lapsed. The templet is then collapsed, and thereafter elevated to ts highest position, in the meanwhile the pressure mechanism coming into play to squeeze the folds of the blanks between the infolders tion seen in 4.

arts and the heated bed.

The full value of the operation permitted by the present invention will now be seen. The second portion of the operation on the first blank now commences, while, the templet being raised, the second blank can be made to begin its operations, since the operator may at once place it upon the wings repara'tory to. a repetition of the cycle w ich has already been performed on the first blank. The second set of operations upon the first blank are in the meanwhile going on. The presser heads are first released, permitting the infolders to be moved outwardly. The blank lifter is then elevated slightly so as to raise the blank above the bed toa point bet-ween the bed and the wings where it will not interfere with theplacing of a new blank upon the wings, but where it may be engaged by the out-feeding mechanism. The open tongs of the outthe templet for the carrying of .the second blank from the wings to the bed.- At-this stage-a third blank is being prepared by plaims --f'-"* 1. In a machine, amain shaft and the operator'to insert upon the wings. The second blank is about to be carried downwardly to the bed to be folded and ressed. The first blank enters its third set .0 operations. The out-feeding tongs, with a slight lateral movement and opening at the same time, drop the first blank into the receptacle forward of the sliding rear wall and rearward of the disappearing fingers. The tongs then are raised and start backward toward the bed for gras ing the second blank. In the meanwhi e the vibra-tin rear wall of the receptacle moves forwar carrying the blank into contact with the movable front wall or in contact with such folded blanks as have already been placed inthe receptacle. The 'fingersthen drop out. of the receptacle or disappear; and upon rising again to their original position are now behind the folded blank, the latter beingconfined between the fingers and the front wall. The rear wall then returns to its rearward or normal position, and the receptacle is ready to receive a second blank. While the first blank is thus being put in place in the receptacle, the second blank may be undergoing its pressing operation,

and the third blank may have been laid upon the wings. When forty-eight blanks, for example, have been folded and placed in the receptacle, this number constituting a commercial dozen suflicient for a dozen-pairs of cuffs, the operator may open the lock which keeps the machine in continuous operation, and the mechanisms will come to a stop. The blanks may be counted by theoperator or automatically.' The machine may, as explained, be stopped at any point in the operation, as in the case of breakage. The operator, having stopped the machine,

lifts up the. front table and ties the blanks together with tape into- .a bundle which'he lays aside and proceeds a in to fold another bundle'. The bundles o 1 lded blanks will be carried off at suitable intervals to the stitching'depart-ment of the factory.

A speed of one turn of the main shaft in three seconds will produce 12,000 blanks, or

250 commercial dozen per day of ten hours,

but by doubling the speed with properskill of operation, 500 commercial dozen can be folded per day on a single machine. Practicaily speaking, the only limitation is in the operators ability to insert the blank-and lining together accurately between the gages of the wings; an automatic mechanism for accomplishing this would still further increase the efficiency of the machine.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is; set forth in the following a power controller having a neutral position and movable; in onedirection therefrom to after cycle without stoppage;

start the machine, means whereby when started the machine continues automatically to the end of one cycle and then automaticall stops, and said controller movable'in anot er direction from neutral for instantaneously stopping the machine before the end of a cycle; combined with blank infoldingf mechanism actuated from the main sha t.

2. In a folding machine, a main shaft and a power controller having a neutral osition and movable in one direction there rom to start the machine, means whereby when started the machine continues automatically to the end ofone cycle and then automaticall s'tops,'and said controller movable in anot or direction for instantaneously sto ping the machine before the end of a cyc e, and ,means for holding said' controller in operative position whereby the machine will run .continuously without stoppingat cycle ends; combined with blank-infoldmgmtachanism actuated from the main shaft.

3. In a folding machine, a controller which may be shifted out of normal, means for settin the main shaft in revolution when sai controlleris so shifted, said means adapted to maintain the shaft in revolution until the end of a cycle of movement and then cause it .to sto and a part for maintaining said control or out of normal whereby the machine may voperate for cycle combined with blank-infolding mechanism actuated from the main shaft.

4. In a folding machine, fast and loose pulleys, a 'main shaft, a spring, a power controller ada ted to effect the shifting of a power belt rom the loose to fast pulley against the resistance of said spring, a part set in movement by said main shaft and adapted to maintain the belt on the fast pulley after saidcontroller is released, and a second and stronger spring interposed in the belt shifting mechan1sm,'whereby on re versing thepo'sition of said controller said stronger spring ma be sprung the belt shifted against sai spring, and the machine stopped whenever desired; combined with blank-infolding mechanism actuated from themain shaft.

5. In a folding machine the combination 'g', g", oscillated from said cam, and a link intermediate said lever and arm, said link being adjustable asto length.

' position on the bed.

which unfolded blanks ma be positioned to be subsequently transferre to thebed, with a space. between the wings and infolding mechanism by which the folded'blanks ma be laterally .extricated, said .wings locate to embrace the path of movement of the hereinbelow recited transferring means, to-

ether with means for transferring the glanks from the wings to a predetermined 9. In a foldin machine, the combination of info'lding mec anism and a bed whereon the blanks are infolded, wings permanently located above the infolding mechanism on which unfolded blanks may be positioned to be subsequently transferred to the' bed, with a space. between the win and infolding mechanism by which the folded blanks 5 may be laterally extricated, said wings located to embrace the path of movement of the hereinbelow recited transferring means, to ether with means, including a blank-definlng templet for transferring the blanks from the wings to a predetermined position on the bed.

10. In a foldingvmachine, the combination of a platform on which unfolded bl-a'nks may be placed folding mechanism there- 5 below, with a s ace between said platformand folding mec hanism by which the folded blanks may be laterally extricated; together with means for transferring blanks from the platform to .the bed, said platform cono structed to embrace the path of movement of the transferring means.

11. In a folding machine, the combination of folding mechanism, a platform spaced thereabove for receiving blanks tEi-be- 1'15 folded, the same centrally apertured, a templet movable from-above to below said platcollapsing said templet, means for raising 

